Straw washer system, device, and method

Abstract

In embodiments, the invention includes a system, an apparatus, and a method for cleaning reusable straws. The system includes a chamber configured to contain a liquid, a siphon to drain the chamber, a transducer to deliver sonic energy to the chamber, and a plurality of straws disposed in the chamber. Each straw includes a tubular wall defining a lumen. The lumen has a length and a cross-sectional area, and the cross-sectional area is substantially constant over the length.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of cleaning straws comprising:
 providing an apparatus having:
 a chamber; 
 a basket removably positionable in the chamber and configured to support a plurality of straws; and 
 a transducer configured to deliver sonic energy to the chamber; 
   loading a plurality of straws into the basket;   positioning the basket in the chamber;   adding a wash liquid to the chamber;   ultrasonicating the wash liquid;   sanitizing the plurality of straws;   rinsing the chamber; and   emptying the chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wash liquid includes a phosphate-free detergent. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of adding a wash liquid includes loading a prepackaged concentrate to the chamber and adding water to the chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes a heater configured to heat chamber contents, and wherein the step of sanitizing the plurality of straws includes heating the chamber contents. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the apparatus further includes a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of sanitizing the plurality of straws includes heating the chamber to a temperature of at least 171 F. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the apparatus further includes a controller operatively connected to the heater and to the temperature sensor, the controller configured to control the chamber temperature, wherein the step of sanitizing the plurality of straws includes maintaining the temperature of at least 171 F for at least thirty seconds. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the apparatus further includes a level sensor operatively coupled to the controller, the level sensor configured to detect a liquid in the chamber at a predetermined height, and wherein the step of adding a wash liquid comprises adding the wash liquid until the wash liquid reaches the preset height. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of rinsing the plurality of straws includes one or more steps of draining and refilling the chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the apparatus further includes a siphon plumbed to the chamber, the siphon having a siphon height, and a fill valve operatively coupled to the controller and configured to add a liquid to the chamber, and wherein the step of draining and refilling the chamber includes opening the fill valve and draining the liquid when the fill level of the chamber exceeds the siphon height. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the preset height is below the siphon height. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of emptying the chamber comprises draining any liquid remaining in the chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of draining any liquid remaining in the chamber includes the controller determining a siphon time from the step of draining and refilling the chamber, and opening the fill valve for a drain time calculated from the siphon time. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of adding a wash liquid to the chamber includes holding the wash liquid in the chamber for a degas time. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the degas time ranges from about five to about fifteen minutes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a dispenser and a reservoir, the reservoir containing a wash concentrate, the dispenser plumbed between the reservoir and the chamber, the dispenser operatively connected to the controller, and wherein the step of adding a wash liquid includes transferring an aliquot of the wash concentrate from the reservoir to the chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a reservoir sensor operatively connected to the controller, the reservoir sensor configured to sense a fill level of the reservoir, wherein the controller indicates a need to refill the reservoir when the reservoir sensor senses that the fill level of the reservoir is less than a predetermined amount.